Chapter 12: Storm of Illusions

Birds chirped happily through the trees as Alice and the others walked back to Kaede's Village. Ahead of Alice walked Kagome, Inuyasha, and Shippo who were in a deep conversation about the day's events. She cast a glance at the group before looking back towards the money she held in her hand.

Right when they were about to leave Kasasagi Town, the village headman stopped Alice and gave her a huge amount of money as a thank-you for rescuing him. Alice tried to turn it down but he kept on insisting until she just gave in.

I wonder what they're thinking about. Alice thought as she once again looked in the direction of the three. They had been talking together for quiet sometime now and Alice was beginning to feel worried about their current situation.

"Kagome!" Alice called out, her voice a bit raspy from not using it for a couple of hours.

To Alice's irritation and slight disappointment, Kagome seemed to be oblivious to her calls so Alice then called out, "Inuyasha! Shippo!"

After getting the exact same reaction from the two Alice finally snapped and sent out her fire Shikigami towards the trio. The group visibly stiffened when they saw a well sized fire ball fly over their heads and turned to see an enraged Alice glaring at them.

"It's about time you noticed me! What's the deal?" Alice snapped at them.

Everyone looked towards Alice in shock as if she'd grown wings before Kagome swallowed and replied, "Oh, we're sorry Alice it's just…"

Alice interjected, "Just that Naraku is after me and you guys are too busy thinking about it that you don't even notice what's going on around you."

Kagome blushed, embarrassed at Alice's sharp and irritable response before Alice continued in a lighter, more sympathetic tone, "Look guys, I know that thinking about the enemy's plan is important, but relax a bit!"

"Keh! How are we supposed to relax huh? Naraku has a new scheme that could have a nasty effect on us if we don't figure it out first," Inuyasha argued.

"Yes, I'm clearly aware of that, but you guys have been so caught up in it that you don't notice anything that's around you," Alice replied with a slight bit of annoyance in her tone.

"That's not true! I know exactly where we are," Shippo argued.

Alice looked towards Shippo before asking in a hard tone, "Okay then, where are we?"

"That's easy we're… Um… We are…" Shippo stuttered.

Alice sighed and gave the answer, "We're near Kaede's Village."

Shippo looked away, a pink hue forming at his cheeks, as both Kagome and Inuyasha looked down. Alice's heart fluttered with sympathy towards the group. It's not their fault, their just worried about what's going to happen.

"Come on guys, cheer up! No demons attacked us on the way back and we arrived before sundown," Alice said cheerfully.

Her efforts seemed to be working as she saw smiles light everyone's face as they nodded and walked beside Alice.

When they entered the village, Alice noticed two people waiting by the store in front of them.

One was a young man, Alice presumed he was a monk since he was wearing Buddhist monk robes, while the other was a young woman wearing a light pink kimono and holding a giant boomerang behind her.

I wonder who they are Alice thought as tilted her head in curiosity.

"Oh!" Alice heard Kagome say as the two walked over towards the group.

"Hey Kagome," the man greeted as he came up to them.

"Miroku! Sango! You're back," Kagome replied happily.

"Yes, we just got back a few moments ago," the woman said while smiling brightly towards Kagome.

"That sure took you a while," Inuyasha complained though he held a grin on his face.

"Don't say that Inuyasha. We went through a lot too you know?" the man defended.

Alice looked at the group, feeling sort of out of place in the conversation before she saw the man look at her and say, "Who might you be?"

"I'm Alice, Alice Kururugi," Alice replied as Kagome added, "Yeah; Alice came from the present just like me."

A look of interest and slight surprise flashed across the two's face as they took in the information Kagome had given them.

"Are these your friends Kagome," Alice asked turning towards Kagome.

"Yes, this is Miroku," Kagome replied as she pointed towards the man, "and Sango," Kagome finished as she pointed towards the woman.

"Miroku is a monk that can use the power of Buddhist sutras while Sango is a Demon Slayer. Like us, they're trying to destroy Naraku," Kagome explained.

"I see," Alice replied.

So they're all connected by their hatred for Naraku. I wonder, just what did he do to make so many enemies? Alice thought before continuing, "It's nice to meet you."

"The pleasure's all mine," Miroku responded while Sango added, "Nice to meet you too."

"Alice may not look strong, but she's very skilled in the power of Shikigami," Shippo explained as he jumped up on Kagome's shoulder.

"Shikigami huh? I've heard tell about it but I'd never actually thought I'd meet someone gifted with its power," Miroku replied with an impressed look on his face.

"It's nothing really," Alice said while she looked down at the ground trying to hide her embarrassed face from the group.

When Alice looked up she saw Miroku standing right in front of her saying, "Excuse me miss?"

"Uh, yes?" Alice responded as she felt Miroku take her hands in his and look straight at her.

"Will you be the mother of my children?" he asked genuinely.

Almost instantly, Alice felt her face grow hot as she stared at Miroku in bewilderment.

"Wha?" was all she could manage to say in shock.

"Miroku," Kagome scolded as Shippo jumped on Alice's shoulder and explained, "Don't take it seriously, he asks every girl he meets that."

Oh, so that must make him a lecher Alice thought as she sighed and took her hands away from Miroku's.

"Excuse me!" Sango cut in with frustration in her voice.

Alice looked up quizzically towards Sango as she continued on, "Miroku we have more important matters to attend like telling them what we found out."

Miroku's face instantly became more serious as he replied, "Oh right."

"Did you find out where Naraku is?" Inuyasha asked with interest sparkling in his golden eyes.

"We didn't find out anything specific but there are a ton of strange occurrences being reported at the castle," Miroku replied.

"What do you mean?" Alice asked.

"Are you interested too?" Miroku replied in surprise as he looked towards Alice.

"Of course! From what we've heard Kagura and Utsugi say, Naraku is the whole reason why I can't go home," Alice said angrily.

"Wow, that's quite a problem huh?" Sango said before Miroku continued, "Well getting back on topic, from what Sango and I have heard, all the cows on the castle grounds have disappeared and no one that has entered the castle to pay their dues have returned. There are definitely a lot of strange things happening at the castle."

"A whole bunch of demons were also spotted heading towards the castle," Sango put in.

"A bunch of demons huh? That definitely stinks of Naraku," Inuyasha growled.

"Of course, don't you guys remember?" Alice said as she turned towards Kagome Shippo and Inuyasha, "The village headman in Kasasagi Town said something about Kagura being the castle messenger so that confirms that Naraku must be at the castle or have some connection to it at least."

The trio's eyes widened a bit as they realized that what Alice said made perfect sense.

"All that's left to do now is to go to the castle," Alice continued before looking at Miroku and asking, "Do you know where the castle is?"

"Yes, it's quite a ways away though but if we go through Tsuzumi Village we should get there faster," Miroku replied.

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's head out," Alice said as she turned towards the exit of the village.

As Alice began walking she heard Miroku complain, "We just got back and now we're going out again? Busy, busy."

"Yeah? Well we just got back too you know, and I don't see us complaining" Alice snapped before sighing and turning to face Miroku.

"Look I know you must be very tired, and I'm sorry for rushing but I know for one thing, Naraku is most likely in that castle and the sooner we leave the quicker we'll be to riding him from our lives," Alice said softly.

Miroku looked up at Alice with understanding in his eyes before replying, "Thanks for worrying about me, you're too kind."

"It's nothing," Alice shrugged.

"Don't be shy?" Miroku responded.

"Who said I was being shy?" Alice asked blushing a bit.

"Ahem… Miroku, let's go already," Sango said impatiently.

Miroku let out a sigh before finishing, "Let's talk more about this later, shall we?"

Alice nodded while thinking I wonder how this journey is going to turn out.

Just then, Alice saw Kaede approach the group saying, "What? You just got here and you're already leaving? Don't you want to rest a little bit?"

"It is probably best if we rest up first,' Kagome agreed, followed by nods from Sango, Miroku, and Shippo.

"I think so too, for the rest of the day you guys should rest and take it easy," Kaede finished.

Both Inuyasha and Alice sighed and reluctantly agreed to take the day off as everyone walked to Kaede's house and once inside Myoga hopped up to Inuyasha and greeted everyone.

"How about it Master Inuyasha? Should we go in groups again?" Myoga prompted.

"Keh, might as well," Inuyasha replied uninterestedly.

"What do you mean?" Miroku asked the flea in curiosity.

"Well the last time we took the day off everyone went in groups to keep safe," Myoga explained as Miroku nodded in understanding.

"That sounds nice," Sango replied.

"So, who do you want to go with this time?" Kagome asked as she turned towards Alice.

"Hmm, I think I'll go with you Kagome," Alice answered.

"Great," Kagome replied happily.

"It's such a nice day out, I think I'll take a nap," Inuyasha stated with a yawn that Shippo soon followed after saying, "I'll go with you then Inuyasha. A nap would be nice right now."

"Well I'm going to go for a stroll around the village," Miroku said while getting up.

"I'll join you then," Sango said as the two walked out of the house, followed by Inuyasha with Shippo on his shoulder.

Alice then looked towards Kagome saying, "So Kagome, what do you want to do today?"

"Well no one has been eating very well lately, so I was thinking that I could make a good healthy meal for everyone," Kagome replied.

"Wow, that's a very kind thing to do for us Kagome," Alice responded happily.

"Well I can't cook anything too fancy," Kagome said a little embarrassed, "But could you go get some potatoes and onions from the garden? I'll get things ready here if you could do that."

Alice nodded before running off towards the village garden. This will be great! If everyone eats well tonight then we'll be completely refreshed in the morning when we head out Alice thought before she looked up at the sky to see a few gray clouds forming. It looks like it's going to rain today. Hopefully the rain will hold until everyone's back.

When Alice finally reached the garden she picked out six potatoes and six onions when she saw some carrots growing near her.

If we're having a meal with onions and potatoes, then carrots will go nicely with them Alice thought as she picked six carrots out and headed back to Kaede's house.

"Kagome," Alice called out as she walked into the house, "here are the onions and potatoes you wanted. I brought back some carrots too."

"Perfect," Kagome replied as she turned around from where she was cutting some lettuce.

"Do you think you could help me?" Kagome asked.

"Sure, no problem," Alice replied before looking closer at what Kagome was making, "Are you making bento boxes?"

"Yes, I think that since we're going to be traveling farther than usual tomorrow it would be helpful to have food on hand," Kagome explained.

Alice smelled the air and said happily, "Wow it smells amazing! You're a really good cook Kagome."

Kagome laughed before replying, "Oh, it's nothing. Now how about we start cooking huh?"

Alice nodded as Kagome continued, "Here, you can peel the potatoes first."

Kagome then handed Alice a small knife to peel the potatoes with before returning to what she had been doing earlier. Alice took the knife and slowly began peeling the potatoes.

I haven't peeled potatoes in ages; hopefully I won't cut myself Alice thought as she finished peeling the first potato and went on to the next. When Alice finally got to the last potato she brightened up thinking Yes! Almost done… Just one more slice and…

At that moment Alice felt a cool wind blow her hair around lightly as a voice, barely audible, whispered, "Alice."

The voice startled Alice so much that she jerked the knife forwards, leaving a trail of blood streaming down across her palm.

"Ow!" Alice yelled as she dropped the potato and the knife and held her hand.

"Are you okay?" Kagome asked as she turned around and looked worriedly at Alice's hand.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just need some bandages to wrap it up a bit," Alice replied.

"Sure, I'll go get some," Kagome said while going to her bag and returning with some bandages in her hands.

"Here, these should help," Kagome said while giving Alice the bandages before asking, "How did you cut yourself anyway?"

"Well when that wind blew through the house I could've sworn someone said my name," Alice explained as she wrapped her hand.

"What wind?" Kagome asked puzzled.

"You know, the one that just blew in a few seconds ago," Alice replied with a confused frown on her face, "Don't tell me you didn't feel it."

Kagome shook her head before saying, "No I didn't feel a thing, but I guess I was just too preoccupied with cooking to feel it."

"I guess," Alice said uncertainly, "Well, now what should I do?"

"I don't know, it'll be pretty hard to help with an injured hand," Kagome replied.

"Hmm, I guess you're right. Oh! How about I got pick some herbs?" Alice offered.

"Sure, that would be great," Kagome replied happily. "Okay! I'll be right back," Alice called as she ran out of the house.

What herbs should I get? I guess I should've asked Kagome first before I left Alice thought with a sigh.

I know! I'll go pick some lemon balm to make tea with Alice thought happily I remember every time I was stressed mother would give…

Alice broke off of the thought as she felt sadness build up inside her Mother… I wonder what are you doing right now? Are you worrying about where I am? Alice thought as she looked towards the darkening sky.

It looks like it's going to rain any minute now, I should hurry and get the herbs before I get rained on Alice thought as she ran towards the fields on the edge of the village. Once there, Alice easily spotted the lemon balm bush and picked a handful of the leaves.

Great, there's plenty to make tea for everyone and have some to spare for our journey Alice thought happily as she looked at the leaves.

She was about to get up and head back when she heard two village men saying, "Did you know that Saku found some reishi mushrooms the other day?"

Reishi mushrooms! Alice thought in surprise.

"Really? I had no clue! Where did he find them?" the other man said just as surprised as Alice.

Alice strained to hear about the whereabouts of the mushrooms and heard the man reply, "He said he found them near the cave down yonder."

Alice saw the man point in the direction north of her and she quickly got up and ran in the direction. Reishi mushrooms are perfect for our journey; they'll help out a lot especially if someone gets sick on the way to Azumi Village Alice thought as she ran through the forest.

Unbeknown to Alice, the other man replied unhappily, "You mean near the cave of the bandit Onigumo?"

The man nodded as she continued on, "Well that is misfortunate, Lady Kaede instructed everyone to stay away from the cave I guess we'll have to find some other patch of the mushrooms."

As Alice ran through the forest, she could vaguely make out a small cave on a hill and when she stepped into the meadow it was in she looked up happily to see a few reishi mushrooms growing near the entrance.

Perfect! Alice thought as she felt the tall grass brush up against her waist as she walked towards the cave. As she climbed up the slanting slope to the cave, she felt a cool breeze whirl her hair around her face and stiffened for a moment before sighing.

What am I getting so scared about? There's nothing here Alice thought as she looked around. When she got to the patch of mushrooms she picked three out of the five that grew there thinking three will be plenty for our trip, and if I leave these two there'll be more next season.

Alice then put the mushrooms in her kimono's pocket as she turned to head back towards the village, but before she could even take one step she spotted the opening of the cave and peered inside.

I can't see a thing from out here. Maybe I should go inside Alice thought as she bent down and walked inside of the cave.

Once inside, Alice's eyes adjusted to the dimly lit cave, letting her look around. Wow, this is some cave Alice thought before she spotted patch of dirt in the shape of a person on the ground in front of her.

What's that? Alice thought as she knelt down to look at the spot where no grass grew.

This cave must be pretty old seeing as moss is growing on the walls, but then why is nothing growing here? Alice thought as she picked up some of the dirt and let it sift through her fingers.

Just then, Alice felt a horribly cold and malicious aura surround her as she jerked her head up to see that the cave was light up a bit by a candle near her.

"What the?" Alice whispered as she looked around. "When did this get here?" Alice said as she reached for the candle.

But what happened next sent a wave of shock and horror through Alice.

Her hand should've met the waxy candle when she touched it but instead it went straight through the candle. Wha… What's happening? Alice thought wildly.

She was about to panic when it hit her. This all must be an illusion! Alice sighed in relief before turning around at the sound of someone grunting in pain. What she saw sent another wave of shock through her veins, lying on the ground in front of her was a man.

"How horrible," Alice said with pity as she looked at the man.

He was covered in bandages from head to toe, leaving only one eye uncovered.

"Onigumo," Alice stiffened as she heard a coarse but wicked voice say.

"Onigumo," the voice repeated as Alice backed up from the man a bit.

After closer examination, Alice saw that the voice came from a spider demon. Oh great, haven't I seen enough spiders Alice thought irritably.

The spider was much smaller than the one she faced in Akebi Village, but its aura was much worse. Alice noticed that the man, Onigumo she presumed, opened his one eye wide at the site of the demon spider.

"Onigumo, you're dark thoughts have summoned us here," the spider continued.

"A demon," Alice heard Onigumo whisper as she saw what she thought was pleasant surprise flash through his blue eye.

"Tell me, why is it that you've summoned us here?" the spider asked.

"I want to possess the ability to walk again, and then the Jewel and Kikyo will be mine," Onigumo replied as Alice saw him narrow his eye in happiness.

"Very well," the spider answered, "But in return we will take your soul."

Alice stared in horror as more demons appeared in the cave as she looked back down at Onigumo.

Baka! Don't make a deal with a demon she thought but she knew she was powerless to stop him since he was in fact an illusion as well.

Onigumo's eye narrowed even more in happiness as he chuckled, "My soul is rotten to the core but it still possesses some value huh? Well then, feast on my flesh, devour me, and in exchange grant me mobility and strength!"

After the words were said, all of the demons rushed forward towards Onigumo.

Alice stifled a shriek as she saw a huge amount of demons fill the cave to feast on the helpless man in front of her.

Onigumo himself yelled out in pain as the demons came in swarms and in that moment, when the demons made contact with Onigumo, a blinding light filled the cave.

Alice shielded her eyes and when the light didn't seem to dim down at all she raised her hand from her face to see that the cave was filled with fire.

At this site Alice couldn't stop herself from yelling out in surprise and at that exact same moment a blinding light, followed by a tremendous boom filled the cave.

Alice jerked up to see that she was kneeling with her hand on the dirt ground of the spot where Onigumo had just been.

She immediately jumped up and looked around to see that the cave was just how she first saw it. Another flash filled the cave as Alice heard thunder roar from above her.

What was that? Alice thought in horror as the vision played through her mind over and over. In that moment Alice felt a terrible fear build up inside her as something in her mind told her to get out of the cave that instant.

Alice immediately turned around and ran out of the cave, and in the process her injured hand's bandages were torn off her hand and drifted towards the ground where she had just been a few seconds ago.

It was raining but Alice didn't care, as far as she was concerned she just wanted to get away from the cave and its horrors and as if in response to her fear a huge flash of lightening filled the sky with light that guided Alice back to the village.


Yay for chapter 12!
So creepy things happen when the group decides to take the day off, well for Alice at least.
Learning about the unfortunate fate of Onigumo shocked her to her core. I don't blame her. But how will this factor affect Alice, and what will the other's reaction be like when she returns?
Find out in the next chapter~

Oh! I almost forgot, here's some helpful definitions of terms found in the chapter that will hopefully explain things:

Lemon Balm: Also known as Blue Balm, Sweet Blam, or Honey Plant. Essential oils found in the leaves of the plant contain plant chemicals called terpenes, which play a role in the herb's relaxing and antiviral effects. The herb also contains tannis, which are thought to cause many of its antiviral effects. Lemon balm also contains eugenol which calms muscle spasms, numbs tissues, and kills bacteria. It is found all over the world, but is native to Europe and parts of Asia.

Reishi Mushroom: Also known as the Lingzhi Mushroom or "the mushroom of immortality." The reishi mushroom was used over 500,000 years ago as a medicine and is still used today. It was believed to increase the life span or quality of life of the individual who ate it. Now, scientists have confirmed that the mushroom can help reduce tumors, ulcers, congestive problems, combat arthritis and skin and scalp problems. It is found all over Asia, including Japan.

I hope this help!
And as always, please read and review~